Energy Independence

Over thirty years ago, the Department of Energy was created to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. Ironically, today we still face the same energy problems we did in the 1970s.

The United States is, and will always be, a nation of consumers. Over half of our oil consumption comes from foreign sources, including those nations that appear on the Government’s list of “State Sponsors of Terror.” This means the United States buys oil from countries that provide support to terrorists whose goal is to harm us all. We can no longer fund both sides of the War on Terror. We must become independent of foreign sources and produce domestically.

There is little question that domestic development will bring down energy costs. The Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified before the House Financial Services Committee that a 1% increase in domestic production of oil and gas could drop prices 10%. In today’s economy we can all use the extra cash in our wallets.

Across America, there are locations rich in natural resources from natural gas, coal, and oil – all are viable sources of energy. However, litigation has prevented states from exploring for new sources of natural energy. I am the first to say that our nation must strive to find alternative energy sources. However, the rights and desires of individual states must be considered when reviewing offshore and on land drilling and mining proposals. We must reduce the regulations that are restricting development, building, and/or expansion of new oil refineries.

History has also proven that nuclear energy can be used safely, while also being one of the least expensive and most environmentally friendly forms of energy production. Again, the means of this production has been restricted by litigation and over regulation, making it no longer viable. I will work to reduce these restrictions and encourage new construction in all sources of safe, clean, and inexpensive energy production, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign sources.

God has blessed North Carolinians with a beautiful state. From the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, to the fantastic beaches of our Outer Banks, it should be up to North Carolinians how to best use our natural resources.